Chapter 869: Chapter 869: An Unusual Feeling
Madam went to the Wangzhou Tower where her son was located and noticed the courtyard was unusually quiet, causing her brow to furrow slightly.
Wangzhou Tower had only three rooms, the middle one was Song Lingzhouās bedroom. As she walked into the outer room, near the window on the Arhat bed was a table with some curious items, and scattered around were some woodworking materials.
Madamās face looked somewhat displeased; it seemed Zhouāer was playing with those peculiar trinkets again.
Just as she was about to enter the inner room, she saw Zhou Chen, who served Song Lingzhou and was also Zhou Mamaās daughter-in-law, come out from inside. Upon seeing Madam, she quickly curtsied.
"The servant pays her respects to Madam; I was just about to look for you."
Madam noticed her expression was slightly flustered and asked, "Why are you in such a panic?"
Zhou Chen replied, "Responding to Madam, the servant checked the Young Masterās forehead and thought he was a bit feverish. I was about to ask someone to summon Madam and call for a doctor."
"What?" Madam was shocked, bypassed her, and walked into the inner room, also instructing the attendant, Jixiang, to call for the doctor.
Zhou Chen followed her inside.
Madam approached the bed and indeed saw Song Lingzhou lying there, his face flushed. She touched his forehead; it was undeniably hot.
"Zhouāer? Zhouāer?" Madam gently patted her sonās face.
Song Lingzhou groggily opened his eyes, saw Madam, and murmured, "Mother, I feel uncomfortable."
Madam felt a pang in her heart and said, "Itās okay; Iām here." She then turned to Zhou Chen and said, "Quickly fetch a basin of warm water and bring a cloth."
Zhou Chen hurried out.
Only then did Madam look at Song Lingzhou, feeling a bit guilty. With the birth of Madam Song, the household was in chaos, and she had neglected her son, not expecting him to fall ill in such weather.
Zhou Chen quickly returned with the warm water and cloth. Madam personally took it, wrung the cloth, and placed it on his forehead; then she asked Zhou Chen when the fever started.
"The Young Master had some plain porridge at noon but didnāt eat much. The servant assumed his stomach was a bit upset and didnāt pay much attention. Then, the Young Master said he was sleepy and went for a nap. He slept until now, and the servant felt something was wrong, checked, and found he had a fever."
Madam felt some anger and said, "Knowing his stomach was uncomfortable last night, why didnāt you stay with him?"
Zhou Chen knelt and said, "Itās my fault. The Young Master never liked anyone attending to him during his nap. I just..."
Song Lingzhou, with a hoarse voice, said, "Mother, donāt blame Sister Chen. Itās me who dislikes anyone in the room."
"Alright, donāt speak, just lie down." Madam gently coaxed him and then glared at Zhou Chen: "Arenāt you going to pour some water for the Young Master to drink?"
Zhou Chen quickly got up from the floor and went to pour some.
The doctor quickly arrived, checked the pulse carefully, and asked Zhou Chen a few questions, his brow furrowed.
"Doctor Ma, whatās wrong with my son?" Madam asked anxiously.
Doctor Ma, stroking his beard, said, "Young Master is affected by an evil toxin, with cold and damp stagnation, resulting in fever and cough. Iāll prescribe something for now to reduce the fever. Iāll come in tomorrow to check the pulse again. How does Madam feel about this?"
Madam said, "Doctor Ma, Iām a humble woman unfamiliar with medicine. Just prescribe something as you see fit."
Doctor Ma nodded, considered, and prescribed a formula for convulsions and fever reduction, and advised them to monitor him closely, not letting the fever rise higher, and if it doesnāt drop, to call for a doctor at any time.
Madam had someone see Doctor Ma out, and instructed Jixiang to fetch the medicine and prescription, while she personally stayed by the bedside.
But before she could stay long, Zhou Mama hurriedly came, saying the fifth Young Master had a fever too.
Madam frowned, feeling inexplicably that something was amiss.